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Relay for Life of Greater Gardner preps for 20th anniversary

By Katina Caraganis, kcaraganis@sentinelandenterprise.com

Updated:
05/06/2013 08:08:56 PM EDT

SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE FILE PHOTO / JOHN LOVE
The start of the 19th Relay for Life at Mount Wachusett Community College last year in Gardner. Walking with the banner to officially start the event during the survivors lap is, from left, Gail Raymond of Westbrook, Maine; Pam Pingeton, of Sterling; Lisa Labelle, of Athol; Sharon Cole, of Orange; Becky Isakson, of Athol; Ray Forest, of Ashburnham; and Robbin Valerio, of Fitchburg.

GARDNER -- In the 20 years the Relay for Life of Greater Gardner has existed, memories have been made, lives have been celebrated, and losses of those taken away too soon are remembered.

All of those things will be even more appreciated next month as the Gardner relay marks its 20th year, Mount Wachusett Community College's 50th anniversary supporting the American Cancer Society, and the American Cancer Society's 100th anniversary.

Bob Labonte and his friend, Virginia, set foot on the track at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner 20 years ago to participate in their first Relay for Life.

He said it was such an exciting and fun experience that they vowed to return the following year together.

SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE file photo / CONNOR GLEASON
Participants walk around the track during the 2011 Greater Gardner Area Relay for Life at Mount Wachusett Community College.

"The second year I went with the same friend, and I held her hand as we walked together in the survivor's lap," Labonte recalled. "The third year I went alone and placed a luminary on the track in her memory. That's how much it touched me."

Labonte, vice president of finance and administration at Mount Wachusett and a co-captain of a college team made up of other staff members and students from the college participating in the relay, has devoted himself to the Relay for Life ever since -- and with the memory of his friend imbedded in his mind.

Labonte said he's more excited to be a part of this year's event, being held on the Mount Wachusett campus June 7 and June 8, because of the significant milestones being celebrated.

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"Cancer is something that's touched everybody, in one form or another," he said, while noting that participating in the Relay for Life plays into the community-service element the college prides itself on.

He said college President Daniel Asquino encourages the college community to be involved in good causes throughout North Central Massachusetts, and he spends time at the relay throughout the weekend.

"That's an important part of our curriculum here. The president feels community service is an important part and makes a community vibrant," he said. "I guess in a way it does."

The Relay for Life is a 24-hour event -- over two days -- with teams of individuals walking around the track in relay fashion raising money to fund programs for cancer research.

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the American Cancer Society is bittersweet, Labonte said.

"I wish it wasn't needed for 100 years and we'd wiped it out sooner. It's 24 hours filled with highs and lows," he said. "It always starts out with the survivors doing the first lap, and that's very overwhelming."

In what is probably the most emotional night of all for people, participants walk with their caregivers as others circle the track clapping and cheering in their honor.

"It's hard to see how many there are, and there's just such a story behind each of these people marching in that first lap," he said. "I think when that lap happens, there's a lot of cheering for the survivors and there's probably not a dry eye in the house.

"As the event goes on, people have fun despite the serious nature of it. The closing ceremony is sad and emotional while at the same time, everyone is happy about the money we've been able to raise."

Sandy Long, a member of the leadership community for the relay, said this year is extra special. The theme is "100 Years of Heroes, 20 Years of Fighting Back."

"It's absolutely incredible to see what we've been able to accomplish in all this time," she said. "Nobody ever expected this to get this huge. We have over 4,000 participants each year, and as of now, we have 156 teams registered. It's amazing to see what we can accomplish."

Long's mother succumbed to cancer 16 years ago, and she remembers how tough it was to deal with, and understand the news. Her mother had been in remission for seven years before the cancer returned.

"It's incredible what we've been able to accomplish. The developments we've made are incredible, especially in the last 20 years since Gardner has been kicking around," Long said.

Long said her mother's doctor wasn't compassionate, and told her to do certain things. "In the meantime, we're trying to grasp the reality of it."

Before then, she said, "hearing the word cancer was like a death threat. Now, anyone who is told those words, right away they have a place to go to."

That place, she explains, is a 24-hour hotline staffed all year with personnel who answer questions for patients, caregivers and loved ones looking for support. They also provide direction on how to obtain access to other services provided by the American Cancer Society.

The society also sponsors other programs such as the Road to Recovery, which provides patients with rides to and from a doctor's appointment, and Look Good, Feel Good, which offers cosmetology and beautification to patients free of charge.

"There are so many programs funded by the Cancer Society. The good news is more people are living with cancer, and the life expectancy rate has gone up, which can also be bad news," Long said. "And with that, you need more money and more research. It's definitely a bittersweet feeling."

Long said for her the survivor's lap at the beginning of the event is the most touching and emotional.

"If you want to see something spectacular, and people so full of hope, come see that first lap with all of the survivors," she said.

Stephanie Corliss of Leominster was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in February 2009 after years of not feeling well and doctors telling her that nothing was wrong with her.

She spent years going from doctor to doctor, always hearing the same response: You're lazy and overweight.

Thanks to some research on the Internet, she found a doctor in Boston who was willing to listen to her.

While she didn't need to have chemotherapy, her thyroid was removed, and she now takes medicine daily to administer thyroid hormones into her body and has blood drawn every couple of months.

A small price to pay, she said.

And because of her desire to help people, she got involved with the Relay for Life five years ago at the college.

She will also be participating next month as a team captain and member of the leadership committee.

She said she couldn't be more excited about the progress that's been made in the fight against cancer.

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